jenky

I found it useful. It is pretty basic, but that's what the title says. The latest version uses 3-D human modelling to demonstrate a move, then shows a jumper doing the same move. The jumper flies adjacent to a tennis ball so you can appreciate the relative motion. I got this tape right after finishing AFF and while I was still working on level 8s. It definitely helped me visulaize what I should do in the air and, as a result, improved my flying skills. As for the cost issue, that's an individual decision. Depending upon your skill, problem areas, etc.. it may be a very valuable tool or a "so-so" tool. There is still no substitute for experience. Coached jumps with or without video will give personalized feedback and, thus, are a much better way to learn.

I had a fair amount of oscillation (bobbing) on my level 3 and I thought I would reach harmonic frequency and explode. In addition to the advice you have already been given, the cure for me was letting the fingers/hands/wrists go completely loose. I was coached to do this on my level 5 jump and it really worked. Just like steering dampers on motorcycle handle bars, flaccid hands and fingers absorb, and dampen, oscillations and shudders. Practice it on the ground, but be careful who you are around when you are rehearsing your limp wristed style :-) Hope this helps.

I'm working on it. The rental gear is all ripcord/spring loaded PCs. I just bought a used rig, which should arrive in the next few days. I'm looking forward to transitioning to a throw out system. Thanks, Mark

I have been following with interest the discussions on malfunctions. In had just finished reading, and contemplating, several of the descriptions before I jumped yesterday. I remember thinking, after reading one post about a bad spin on opening that had to be cut away, "Man, I hope that never happens to me". Jump #16 (yes I am an inexperienced novice) seemed like any other jump. I exited the Otter at 13,800 ft. I was solo bellyflying, practicing fast turns, slow turns, and playing around with backflips. I tracked to avoid a cloud. At 4,000 I reached and pulled. I watched a nice big rectangle blossom above. I felt the deceleration, then looked down to get my heading. We (the canopy and I) were turning to the right. I stowed my ripcord and released the brakes. I thought no big deal, it is just a gust of wind (it was gusty that day). I stopped the turn with the left toggle, then released tension on both and... surprise we were turning right again. I then looked up again and saw the problem. The pilot chute was wrapped around the right steering line and was stuck into an adjacent cascade. The right edge of the canopy was crimped. My thrill at having had a nice freefall, followed by a nice opening, was rudely changed into a hollow, sinking feeling. I had never mentally rehearsed this particular problem, but I have had good instructors. First question, is the canopy controllable? My answer was, "yes". I could flare it, turn in both directions, but obviously had to use different toggle "heights" to fly straight, and different input to turn. I remembered my 1st AFF instructor saying, "If you have to pull one toggle down below the level of your shoulder to fly straight you probably shouldn't keep that canopy." I checked and I could fly straight with the left toggle at about ear level. I thought about cutting away, but the answer to the controllability question was still, "Yes". Provided nothing got worse I felt I had an excellent chance for a safe landing. I did, however, want to get that stupid pilot chute out of the lines, and I was still worried by how distorted the right side of the canopy appeared. I wanted to fix it and not have to worry about the "what ifs" when I got lower. I wasn't sure how this malfunction would behave over time. It looked unchanged in the 10 seconds or so that I had been studying it, but I just didn't know what it would do. I checked my altitude (over 3,000), so I had plenty to work with before my hard deck of 2000. I first pulled down hard on both toggles and watched. I eventually felt the stall, but I saw that the cascade with the trapped pilot chute and the edge of the chute (and steering line) moved closer together. I repeated, but the damn pilot chute just wouldn't budge. I repeated using a big pull on the rear risers. The PC flapped and moved a bit, but was still stuck. I got a little angry at it, and kept repeating deep strong pulls sometimes with the toggles, sometimes with the risers. (I put my lats to the task and really pulled hard; All those years of competitive swimming finally paid off). Eventually the SPC (stupid pilot chute) fluttered free. I don't know if it was attempt 5 or 6 that ultimately worked. I had been keeping an eye on my altimeter and now was @ 2200 with an excellent canopy and the SPC was now where it belonged. I rechecked controllability and it was now perfect. I was very relieved. I made my approach, got buffeted by some big gusts @ 1200 ft., but was in control. I even had a nice soft, stand-up landing in the peas. I asked my former instructors about the minor malfunction. It didn't seem to me that a packing error could do this and they agreed. Also, I was stable on deployment. It was just a random event. I now know about one of the drawbacks of a spring-loaded pilot chute ripcord system. Sure it was only a relatively minor malfunction, but it got my attention and it DID bring on the fear factor (mostly later when I had time to think about it). Needless to say I had a little extra epinephrine jazzing up my system after this jump, and called it quits for the day. As I was gathering up my stuff one of my former JMs, who is now a friendly face that I continue to learn from, came over and we chatted. He said, "I know how you feel, but my advice is go right back up and jump again, today." So I did. I jumped the same chute, packed by the same guy. I didn't really enjoy the ride up or the free fall, but I did enjoy the nice big rectangle -- free of tangles -- that came out when I pulled. I missed the peas, but who cares, I enjoyed the ride and landed softly. Today, my muscles are sore, but I feel good. I am glad I went right up and did the next jump. This is a great sport!